This is by far my favorite Carly Simon song. Hauntingly beautiful, and achingly painful at the same time. One moment she sings in almost a whisper, then at the chorus the power vocals emerge. Exquisite.
"they drink, they laugh, close the wound, hide the scars." This line resonates with how many families in my parent's generation were raised. Outwardly, things always looked in place, calm demeanor. Underneath they were frantically treading water and always just about to go under from the weight of protecting the 'La Bella Figura' image.
Carly paints a story with her voice and music - she reaches in and touches you on the inside with this one. It's haunting and real at the same time. Great songs are what you do, Shawn. Your views on music and life in your commentary always bring a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around, to make people listen to a song they've heard hundreds of time in a new light. That's a gift you give and don't even know it. The magic is in the music Shawn, and the music is in you. You're our guide on a time machine to our past (us old folks anyway - laugh).
Carly and Jacob were long time friends and collaborators. She had this melody for a long time and was never satisfied with her lyrics. Jacob knew her well, which is why this song feels like it comes from her perspective and why their other collaborations were so good.
My favorite Carly song too, love it for the compelling storytelling and overall emotional punch of powerhouse lyrics. And Shawn- watching Carly belting this out on piano is superb, hope you get a chance to react to live version.
Yeah, most of the Live versions he chooses I don't even click on because I know it's subpar to the studio, or at least played very different from it. But this one, I would not have minded because her Live version is just as good or better (you get to see her play also).
This song rings true because she's reacting to being told "it's time" to move in together and get married. One should never marry only because of a perception that "it's time". I think too many marriages take place because the couple feels obligated to take the next step mainly because they've already been together for some number of years. The time to get married is when each person has no doubt they want to spend the rest of their life with the other person.
Interesting. Carly Simon was married to James Taylor for about 7 years...think they had kids and they are good friends now. And have been friends for along time. A lot of experiences to write about for Carly about that relationship. Yeah. This song is very deep about relationships in our society. Definitely one of my favorite from Carly Simon. Good reaction. 🎉🎉🎉
He broke the silence on Carly in an interview with Dan Rather. He said he didn't like to talk about it. He said he was too young to be married and was a terrible husband. I was really surprised to hear him say it.
This came out when I was 10, I remember hearing it on AM radio, what a testament to human frailties, and how often, there comes so much hurt, in the name of love.
You should watch the live version she did that shows George Harrison and Art Garfunkel talking offstage. Stellar performance and gorgeous in her red dress. Still watch it regularly..damn near studio quality.
Carly Simon writes some of the best personal songs of any songwriter I know of. You can almost follow her stage of life by what she is saying in her songs.
Carly Simon had so many great hits in the 70's such as "Haven't Got Time For The Pain", "Attitude Dancing", "Anticipation", "Coming Around Again", "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better" (from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me), "Jesse", "Legend In Your Own Time", "The Right Thing To Do", "(We Have) No Secrets" etc. She was married at one time to James Taylor & they did a few duets together "Mockingbird" & "Devoted To You".
This is my favorite by Carly! I 1st heard it when I was a teen, and it made a whole lot of sense to me. I love the melody and the way Carly hits those notes!
Check out Carly and James Taylor live, performing Mockinbird. Two tremendous talents having frivolous fun and entertainment that is sure to bring a smile! Great reaction!
Wow. That's the Way I've Always Heard it Should Be was on the radio all the time when I was very young and it brings back so many memories. But listening to it now at the age of 60, I am astonished at how musically and lyrically and emotionally complex it is, and how much depth it has, and yet it is still so melodic and wistful, but compelling at the same time. And as always, I absolutely love her voice. And her attitude.
Definitely enjoyed rocking w you! This song was my introduction to Carly, and the entire album is sublime. She gives us pop, folk, classical, and country believe it or not. Carly can belt out a tune. From the Anticipation album, check out "Legend in Your Own Time", from No Secrets (the one w you're so vain), "The Right Thing to Do" studio version. Certainly do check out Carly's concert version of "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" from 1971. Considering her shyness performing live, she always rises to the occasion ❤
You are amazing. You grasp all the nuance and meaning right off the bat. I had never picked up the 'dreams' her mother stopped having. It seems the singer needs to find herself before marriage.
I was about 10 years old when I this song came out on AM radio. I listened and "filed away" the knowledge of the lyrics even then. Today, I am proud to say I recently celebrated the 34th anniversary of my and my husband's one and only marriage on February 17 -- and it's been a happy one for both of us. A song like this served as a cautionary tale of the pitfalls to avoid.
What I love about the song is the beauty of the poetic lyrics. The vocals being as honest as it should be. A woman’s view as only a woman can write. Beautiful.
The youthful idealism surrenders to societal pressure and circumstances one is born into. My mother used to say "Even a golden cage is still a cage. Live free."
She lead with her best. And she was representative of a lot of liberated women at the time who were not going to simply go along to get along. Not when there were gross disparities in the equation. I know of no other song to recommend by her, but as far as women artists who take no shit, Patti Smith and Joan Armatrading jump to mind, as do Nina Simone, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. Around the same time as this, Janis Ian came out with "Seventeen" when has a similar haunting sound and message.
Music is a language, and you can actually read and write it words and music, melodies, and harmonies. The cadence rhythms beats and pulses, and so much more.
It was not uncommon for young boomers to reject marriage out of hand when we looked at the unions of our parents. Like young people of every generation, they thought that they could do it better and come up with a better way. Some did but most did not. Very HUMAN song about a very HUMAN dilemma. Love Carly. *Anticipation" and " Coming Around Again" both highly suggested.
Wide Range of Songs "Nobody Does It Better" (1977-movie song-title sequence with a James Bond movie) "You Belong To Me" (1978) "Coming Around Again" (1987 - lighter family life song)
Both of my parents were infantile adrenaline junkies. I didn't know those words, just the effects. They didn't drink, they didn't even use bad language, but almost every day they tried to verbally destroy each other. Society was always touting marriage as the solution for young people growing up. I mean the Hayes Code enforced it. Can you begin to imagine how this hit an 11 year old girl in that situation? Brava Carley!! 💖💋
It was a given at one time that you had to marry & have kids. Carly’s generation started to question this & though most still think this is the only way to live this one life, many of us have chosen different paths. Women esp. still get questioned & accused when we don’t tow the traditional line. This is my favorite song of hers..
Yes, maybe not worth the risk…. I remember it was the spring of my senior year in college, 1972… we listened to this Carly Simon LP in class, and discussed it as a serious piece of art, of literature. I specifically remember discussions on “Anticipation” and this song. It was one of the most meaningful and memorable English classes I’ve ever had. Well done.
What most people don't realize is that Carly Simon is the daughter of 1/2 of the great publishing Simon and Shuster empire, so yeah, you bet she lived this song !!! And, even though her friend " *_helped_* " her write the lyrics, it was her story that was being told. So, he helped her mold and shape the song, but he DIDN'T present HIS ideas ... he was reworking HERS. I am quite certain that the lyrics were pretty much borne out of her reality.
The song is sort of a scathing indictment of marriage, and following 'tradition' while seeing the carnage marriage can bring. It's the best thing and the worst thing. Been married since 2005, been with the same man since 1993...coming on 21 years. This song hits differently at 52 than it did when i heard it as a teen.
"You're So Vain" was from her 3rd album, "Anticipation" from her 2nd, and this from her 1st. So you can see she remained single for awhile. Her 4th album "Hotcakes" she's vey visibly expecting her and James (Taylor)'s first child on the cover, so that's a change for her. STRONGLY suggest "Haven't Got time For The Pain" from that album next up.
I previously subscribed to your channel & would have voted for a thumbs up on this post but you-tube only showed the thumbs down icon so I couldn't vote. That's really weird & thought you should know. It's one of my favorite Carly Simon songs. She was married to James Taylor for 10 yrs & had 2 children w/him. Really enjoy your channel & reactions.
This is by far my favorite Carly Simon song. Hauntingly beautiful, and achingly painful at the same time. One moment she sings in almost a whisper, then at the chorus the power vocals emerge. Exquisite.
That final, "We'll marry"--one of the saddest little lines in all of pop music
"they drink, they laugh, close the wound, hide the scars." This line resonates with how many families in my parent's generation were raised. Outwardly, things always looked in place, calm demeanor. Underneath they were frantically treading water and always just about to go under from the weight of protecting the 'La Bella Figura' image.
My favorite Carly song. Hasn’t aged at all - still beautiful and haunting.
You are astute, sensitive. Good job!
Carly paints a story with her voice and music - she reaches in and touches you on the inside with this one. It's haunting and real at the same time. Great songs are what you do, Shawn.
Your views on music and life in your commentary always bring a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential
to turn a life around, to make people listen to a song they've heard hundreds of time in a new light. That's a gift you give and don't even know it. The magic is in the music Shawn,
and the music is in you. You're our guide on a time machine to our past (us old folks anyway - laugh).
So glad you "got it" on the first listen. Lots of people dont....This proves that Carly is one the of the top songwriter's ever....
Carole King,Carly Simon ,and James Taylor are Phenominal.They ruled the airways in those days.
Carly and Jacob were long time friends and collaborators. She had this melody for a long time and was never satisfied with her lyrics. Jacob knew her well, which is why this song feels like it comes from her perspective and why their other collaborations were so good.
One of the things I love about your reactions is that you actually listen and hear the lyrics in the songs you react to. Thank you
My favorite Carly song too, love it for the compelling storytelling and overall emotional punch of powerhouse lyrics.
And Shawn- watching Carly belting this out on piano is superb, hope you get a chance to react to live version.
I agree that it's best to hit the studio version first... but the live performance is certainly worth a view on your own time.
Yeah, most of the Live versions he chooses I don't even click on because I know it's subpar to the studio, or at least played very different from it. But this one, I would not have minded because her Live version is just as good or better (you get to see her play also).
My favorite of hers. The live is the best.
Such a haunting, emotional track. "You're So Vain" may have been her biggest hit.
This song rings true because she's reacting to being told "it's time" to move in together and get married. One should never marry only because of a perception that "it's time". I think too many marriages take place because the couple feels obligated to take the next step mainly because they've already been together for some number of years. The time to get married is when each person has no doubt they want to spend the rest of their life with the other person.
If you like Personal, she’s got a song called I haven’t got time for the pain. And another song called we have no secrets. Both are really good.
Interesting. Carly Simon was married to James Taylor for about 7 years...think they had kids and they are good friends now. And have been friends for along time. A lot of experiences to write about for Carly about that relationship. Yeah. This song is very deep about relationships in our society. Definitely one of my favorite from Carly Simon. Good reaction. 🎉🎉🎉
I don’t think they are friends, James won’t even go to Martha’s Vineyard because he tells their kids that is her island, that’s what I read
He broke the silence on Carly in an interview with Dan Rather. He said he didn't like to talk about it. He said he was too young to be married and was a terrible husband. I was really surprised to hear him say it.
I’ve always loved this song. 💖
Her father was Richard Simon of Simon & Schuster publishing
I had no idea. Wow! Thanks for the new learn.
This came out when I was 10, I remember hearing it on AM radio, what a testament to human frailties, and how often, there comes so much hurt, in the name of love.
You should watch the live version she did that shows George Harrison and Art Garfunkel talking offstage. Stellar performance and gorgeous in her red dress. Still watch it regularly..damn near studio quality.
Carly Simon writes some of the best personal songs of any songwriter I know of. You can almost follow her stage of life by what she is saying in her songs.
Carly Simon had so many great hits in the 70's such as "Haven't Got Time For The Pain", "Attitude Dancing", "Anticipation", "Coming Around Again", "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better" (from the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me), "Jesse", "Legend In Your Own Time", "The Right Thing To Do", "(We Have) No Secrets" etc. She was married at one time to James Taylor & they did a few duets together "Mockingbird" & "Devoted To You".
This is my favorite by Carly! I 1st heard it when I was a teen, and it made a whole lot of sense to me. I love the melody and the way Carly hits those notes!
Her , song " Nobody does it Better" is one of the Top 5 Bond themes of all time, if you react, please do studio version! ❤
Thanks Shawn I def recommend the studio version first in ALMOST every case!
Check out Carly and James Taylor
live, performing Mockinbird. Two tremendous talents having frivolous fun and entertainment that is sure to bring a smile! Great reaction!
A must!!! (from the No Nukes concert)
Absolutely brutally honest on most levels. Her delivery is so haunting...always loved her talent. Nothing she did was bad.
Never learned to be just me first, by myself!
Wow. That's the Way I've Always Heard it Should Be was on the radio all the time when I was very young and it brings back so many memories.
But listening to it now at the age of 60, I am astonished at how musically and lyrically and emotionally complex it is, and how much depth it has, and yet it is still so melodic and wistful, but compelling at the same time. And as always, I absolutely love her voice. And her attitude.
Fun facts: Have you heard of the publishing company called Simon & Schuster? That's Carly's dad. And her first husband is James Taylor.
What an incredible voice!!!
Seen her once doing this tune live...wow! Heard whole album through...fantabulous sound from Simon...🎶🎤🎹
My absolute favorite Carly Simon song...
Glorious ❤
One of my favorite songs ever, despite me being more of a Rock and Prog fan.
This memorable song is wedged in between my Uriah Heep and Led Zeppelin collection.
Definitely enjoyed rocking w you! This song was my introduction to Carly, and the entire album is sublime. She gives us pop, folk, classical, and country believe it or not. Carly can belt out a tune. From the Anticipation album, check out "Legend in Your Own Time", from No Secrets (the one w you're so vain), "The Right Thing to Do" studio version. Certainly do check out Carly's concert version of "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" from 1971. Considering her shyness performing live, she always rises to the occasion ❤
Thank you for doing the studio version first! It's impt to hear the original first so you know what the reference point is when it's played live.
You are amazing. You grasp all the nuance and meaning right off the bat. I had never picked up the 'dreams' her mother stopped having. It seems the singer needs to find herself before marriage.
I was about 10 years old when I this song came out on AM radio. I listened and "filed away" the knowledge of the lyrics even then. Today, I am proud to say I recently celebrated the 34th anniversary of my and my husband's one and only marriage on February 17 -- and it's been a happy one for both of us. A song like this served as a cautionary tale of the pitfalls to avoid.
What I love about the song is the beauty of the poetic lyrics. The vocals being as honest as it should be. A woman’s view as only a woman can write.
Beautiful.
The youthful idealism surrenders to societal pressure and circumstances one is born into. My mother used to say "Even a golden cage is still a cage. Live free."
"Haven't Got Time for the Pain" - a masterpiece
She lead with her best. And she was representative of a lot of liberated women at the time who were not going to simply go along to get along. Not when there were gross disparities in the equation. I know of no other song to recommend by her, but as far as women artists who take no shit, Patti Smith and Joan Armatrading jump to mind, as do Nina Simone, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. Around the same time as this, Janis Ian came out with "Seventeen" when has a similar haunting sound and message.
Carly Simon is great and have many great songs and I think this is from her first album
Music is a language, and you can actually read and write it words and music, melodies, and harmonies. The cadence rhythms beats and pulses, and so much more.
Live performance is iconic
It was not uncommon for young boomers to reject marriage out of hand when we looked at the unions of our parents. Like young people of every generation, they thought that they could do it better and come up with a better way. Some did but most did not. Very HUMAN song about a very HUMAN dilemma. Love Carly. *Anticipation" and " Coming Around Again" both highly suggested.
Wide Range of Songs
"Nobody Does It Better" (1977-movie song-title sequence with a James Bond movie)
"You Belong To Me" (1978)
"Coming Around Again" (1987 - lighter family life song)
Both of my parents were infantile adrenaline junkies. I didn't know those words, just the effects. They didn't drink, they didn't even use bad language, but almost every day they tried to verbally destroy each other. Society was always touting marriage as the solution for young people growing up. I mean the Hayes Code enforced it.
Can you begin to imagine how this hit an 11 year old girl in that situation? Brava Carley!! 💖💋
It was a given at one time that you had to marry & have kids. Carly’s generation started to question this & though most still think this is the only way to live this one life, many of us have chosen different paths. Women esp. still get questioned & accused when we don’t tow the traditional line. This is my favorite song of hers..
A delicate and heartfelt melody. A bit melancholy, but still beautiful and enlightening. "...drown in love's debris"
Yes, maybe not worth the risk…. I remember it was the spring of my senior year in college, 1972… we listened to this Carly Simon LP in class, and discussed it as a serious piece of art, of literature. I specifically remember discussions on “Anticipation” and this song. It was one of the most meaningful and memorable English classes I’ve ever had. Well done.
What most people don't realize is that Carly Simon is the daughter of 1/2 of the great publishing Simon and Shuster empire, so yeah, you bet she lived this song !!! And, even though her friend " *_helped_* " her write the lyrics, it was her story that was being told. So, he helped her mold and shape the song, but he DIDN'T present HIS ideas ... he was reworking HERS. I am quite certain that the lyrics were pretty much borne out of her reality.
The “live” version is amazing. She is very young and looks great.
The piano in this song is phenomenal!
I actually have this album😃. I adore her. Thanks for diving into her repertoire. Saddest last line of a song I've ever heard 😞
Great reaction! ✌🏽Carly is an American treasure and her music is pure art. A lighter but fire song that spent 6 months on the chart in 1980 is: Jesse.
On the bright side, there will always be more marriages than divorces.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The song is sort of a scathing indictment of marriage, and following 'tradition' while seeing the carnage marriage can bring. It's the best thing and the worst thing. Been married since 2005, been with the same man since 1993...coming on 21 years. This song hits differently at 52 than it did when i heard it as a teen.
I love watching you dissect these lyrics, you seem to catch on much better than most reactors.
"You're So Vain" was from her 3rd album, "Anticipation" from her 2nd, and this from her 1st. So you can see she remained single for awhile. Her 4th album "Hotcakes" she's vey visibly expecting her and James (Taylor)'s first child on the cover, so that's a change for her. STRONGLY suggest "Haven't Got time For The Pain" from that album next up.
This is so real! Enjoy
"The Right Thing to Do" is great by Carly, but yeah the live of this song is amazing.
yeah need to do the live beautiful woman !
Your reaction is spot on! Thank you.
Thanks for doing studio version first. Great song. My fav by her.
Good stuff brother Man!
Carly Simons Dad owns half of Simon and Schuster books.
I previously subscribed to your channel & would have voted for a thumbs up on this post but you-tube only showed the thumbs down icon so I couldn't vote. That's really weird & thought you should know. It's one of my favorite Carly Simon songs. She was married to James Taylor for 10 yrs & had 2 children w/him. Really enjoy your channel & reactions.
Live performance
Now this is a SONG
Another gem!
You should check out the live version
Could you react to Carly and her one time husband James Taylor singing Mockingbird (the live version). Thank you.
What a sad song. She sees all the risks but she ends each stanza with the same two plaintive words "We'll marry." She gives in.
It's hard to hear, but she says, "I forget how to dream."
Her thoughts after James Taylor proposed to her.
I say do live too sometime.
Thanks Shawn. What would we do without men. ❤
Live
I've always loved this song ~ but always disappointed that she ends it with getting married when she obviously knows it's a bad idea.
Maybe who che chose was wrong. Not the commitment
Live is better!
Awesome song--YOU MUST dop live version also...she's fantastic on it and uber sexy too.
If you're going to listen to a live version, this one deserves a listen - ua-cam.com/video/Ux7HgO9QhAc/v-deo.html
Coming around again
Do it live
live please
Thanks, Shawn.. but the best version of this is definitely this LIVE one... ua-cam.com/video/Ux7HgO9QhAc/v-deo.html.. appreciate your reaction..
Carly's mother carried on an affair with a man who stayed in the house while her father would be in a different room. Hard to imagine.
Fast forward 10 yrs..strawberry switchblade..go away
Should have just skipped to live version
Cage me.
50 plus years ago - think of a woman’s perspective - even though these lyrics were written by a guy.